12th Apr, 2024 11:00
TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism
286
A PAIR OF GILT-COPPER REPOUSSÉ PLAQUES DEPICTING BARDO DEITIES, TIBET, 18TH-19TH CENTURY
Sold for €1,232
including Buyer's Premium
Each modeled as a dancing figure with a lion head on a pot-bellied human body, dressed in a short dotted dhoti and a flayed human skin flung over the back, one deity with a jhanda (flag pole) and a dharma wheel to the chest, the other with one hand clutching the dharma wheel, their ferocious faces finely chased and incised with bulging eyes and bushy brows, the mouths agape revealing sharp fangs and scrolling tongues. (2)
Provenance: A London-based gallery specializing in Tibetan works of art. A private collector, acquired from the above via the UK auction market.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear and manufacturing flaws, little rubbing to gilt, few minute dents, tiny nicks. Remnants of pigment. Fine, dark patina with malachite encrustation to the interior.
Weight: 487 g (together)
Dimensions: Height 26 cm (each)
The bardo is a realm or intermediate state between death and rebirth where one’s consciousness experiences vivid phenomena, including horrifying imagery related to negative karmic debts. For those with proper Buddhist training, this stage can provide great opportunity for liberation, allowing them to overcome illusion and worldly attachment. Animal-headed deities who inhabit the bardo realms are typically depicted in painting. Few sculptural examples are known, making the present plaques particularly rare.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related group of seven gilt bronze Bardo deities, with different animal heads, each dancing animatedly with flayed human skin to their backs, at Christie’s New York, 15 March 2017, lot 211.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 19 September 2019, lot 29
Price: USD 10,000 or approx. EUR 11,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pair of gilt-bronze repoussé snow lion plaques, Tibet, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the related animated form and similar gilt and remnants of pigment. Note the size (37.5 cm).
Each modeled as a dancing figure with a lion head on a pot-bellied human body, dressed in a short dotted dhoti and a flayed human skin flung over the back, one deity with a jhanda (flag pole) and a dharma wheel to the chest, the other with one hand clutching the dharma wheel, their ferocious faces finely chased and incised with bulging eyes and bushy brows, the mouths agape revealing sharp fangs and scrolling tongues. (2)
Provenance: A London-based gallery specializing in Tibetan works of art. A private collector, acquired from the above via the UK auction market.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear and manufacturing flaws, little rubbing to gilt, few minute dents, tiny nicks. Remnants of pigment. Fine, dark patina with malachite encrustation to the interior.
Weight: 487 g (together)
Dimensions: Height 26 cm (each)
The bardo is a realm or intermediate state between death and rebirth where one’s consciousness experiences vivid phenomena, including horrifying imagery related to negative karmic debts. For those with proper Buddhist training, this stage can provide great opportunity for liberation, allowing them to overcome illusion and worldly attachment. Animal-headed deities who inhabit the bardo realms are typically depicted in painting. Few sculptural examples are known, making the present plaques particularly rare.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related group of seven gilt bronze Bardo deities, with different animal heads, each dancing animatedly with flayed human skin to their backs, at Christie’s New York, 15 March 2017, lot 211.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 19 September 2019, lot 29
Price: USD 10,000 or approx. EUR 11,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pair of gilt-bronze repoussé snow lion plaques, Tibet, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the related animated form and similar gilt and remnants of pigment. Note the size (37.5 cm).
Zacke Live Online Bidding
Our online bidding platform makes it easier than ever to bid in our auctions! When you bid through our website, you can take advantage of our premium buyer's terms without incurring any additional online bidding surcharges.
To bid live online, you'll need to create an online account. Once your account is created and your identity is verified, you can register to bid in an auction up to 12 hours before the auction begins.
Intended Spend and Bid Limits
When you register to bid in an online auction, you will need to share your intended maximum spending budget for the auction. We will then review your intended spend and set a bid limit for you. Once you have pre-registered for a live online auction, you can see your intended spend and bid limit by going to 'Account Settings' and clicking on 'Live Bidding Registrations'.
Your bid limit will be the maximum amount you can bid during the auction. Your bid limit is for the hammer price and is not affected by the buyer’s premium and VAT. For example, if you have a bid limit of €1,000 and place two winning bids for €300 and €200, then you will only be able to bid €500 for the rest of the auction. If you try to place a bid that is higher than €500, you will not be able to do so.
Online Absentee and Telephone Bids
You can now leave absentee and telephone bids on our website!
Absentee Bidding
Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave your absentee bid directly on the lot page. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.
Telephone Bidding
Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave telephone bids online. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.
Classic Absentee and Telephone Bidding Form
You can still submit absentee and telephone bids by email or fax if you prefer. Simply fill out the Absentee Bidding/Telephone bidding form and return it to us by email at office@zacke.at or by fax at +43 (1) 532 04 52 20. You can download the PDF from our Upcoming Auctions page.
How-To Guides
How to Create Your Personal Zacke Account
How to Register to Bid on Zacke Live
How to Leave Absentee Bids Online
How to Leave Telephone Bids Online
中文版本的操作指南
创建新账号
注册Zacke Live在线直播竞拍（免平台费）
缺席投标和电话投标
Third-Party Bidding
We partner with best-in-class third-party partners to make it easy for you to bid online in the channel of your choice. Please note that if you bid with one of our third-party online partners, then there will be a live bidding surcharge on top of your final purchase price. You can find all of our fees here. Here's a full list of our third-party partners:
- 51 Bid Live
- EpaiLive
- ArtFoxLive
- Invaluable
- LiveAuctioneers
- the-saleroom
- lot-tissimo
- Drouot
Please note that we place different auctions on different platforms. For example, in general, we only place Chinese art auctions on 51 Bid Live.
Bidding in Person
You must register to bid in person and will be assigned a paddle at the auction. Please contact us at office@zacke.at or +43 (1) 532 04 52 for the latest local health and safety guidelines.
